BRIGITTE THIEME-BURDETTE
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College & MFA
Audition Coaching
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After sitting in on auditions for the BFA programs at my alma mater, Pace's Sands School of Performing Arts, and working the Columbia University MFA Acting program auditions for a few years, I've learned from the decision makers (who happen to be my own audition coaches and teachers) what culminates in a successful college/grad school audition - and what does not.
Sometimes, it's completely out of your control - like when they've already called back five three-headed monsters from the previous week's auditions and although you're a great three-headed monster, they already have five to choose from. Sometimes, it's completely within your control - like when you came in all sour because your iced caramel mocha chai tea latte was too cold.
During these auditions and my own grad school auditions over the course of 4 years at Columbia (accepted), USC (accepted), NYU Grad Acting (waitlist), USD/Old Globe (waitlist), Yale Drama (callbacks), Juilliard (callbacks), I've learned that there are really only three major secrets to success: pick the right pieces, be yourself and have fun! Easier said than done right?
What will we do in each 60-120 minute session?
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Find the right contemporary and classical audition pieces for you, that you love working on
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Make those pieces work for the unique person that you are (for example, we might work on making sure the story is being told, relating the piece to you, pursuing an action, exploring various movement techniques as a way in, etc.)
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Replace habits that don't serve you with ones that do, using countless acting techniques and processes only known by graduates of MFA Acting programs like Columbia, Yale, NYU and Juilliard.
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Rehearse entering the room, slating and interviewing (aka being a human being and having a conversation)
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Help you feel comfortable on-camera to nail those self-tape prescreens
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Learn how to accept nerves, trouble-shoot in the moment and stay connected
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Practice taking all sorts of direction and being in a state of play, no matter how far it may be from your original choices
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Instill a mindset of curiosity and get you thinking like an actor with a strong point of view who's making interesting choices without trying to make interesting choices
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Record and coach you through your prescreens in my professional setup in Virginia or at a studio in NYC
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Brainstorm and sometimes film footage for wildcards
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Talk about which schools might be the right fit for you, which have well-attended senior showcases, etc. (I attend showcases and ask my casting friends and representation which ones they go to and what they think)
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Access to my massive spreadsheet of schools with all of the info you could ever need, headshots in-studio with East27 Creative, resume edits, example wildcards, successful prescreens, and so many more invaluable resources along the way that will save you so much time and stress
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General guidance through the entire college application and audition process!
Over the past few years, I've become the go-to college prep coach and acting teacher in Northern Virginia, guiding young actors and their parents through the often confusing and overwhelming process of college auditions. Through a philosophy that takes pressure off of the actor and emphasizes process over result, actors find that they feel confident, prepared and ready to play in their prescreens, auditions and callbacks. I'm always just a text away for actors and their parents.
For any student that I take on, I fight for them. We're in the goo together and I do everything I can to make young actors feel supported and cared for during what can be an immensely stressful time.
Ultimately, the goal is to find the freedom to create throughout the process. We treat this process as the start of your college-level actor training. We work on the work. If you're constantly stressing about getting it "right" and doing what you think "they" want to see, then how are they going to get to know YOU? You do you, boo.
With the in depth knowledge of why one student gets a callback and another does not, I'm pumped to pass this information on to young actors gearing up for undergrad and grad school auditions!
Contact me for a free consultation to find out how I can help you feel confident, comfortable and kick ass in your college, MFA, BFA, BA Acting and Musical Theatre auditions!
In-Person & Zoom Rates*:
$105/hr
OR
$380/pack of 4 ($95/hr)
$45 per person for 1 hr group lessons (2-4 people)
*Sliding scale available for underserved communities.
No one should be prevented from pursuing their dreams because their family cannot afford it. We will always figure something out.
Students are grandfathered into their original rate for life.
PRO TIP
FINDING A COACH
If you’re using a college coach (and you do not have to!) interview multiple prospective coaches. This is your future, don’t blindly trust anyone; including me!
There are a lot of people in the world who are very good at PR and marketing; don’t be fooled by pretty things.
See if you vibe and if they’re the right fit for YOU. This is a long process and you need someone trustworthy, kind, knowledgeable about not only the process but also practiced in many different acting and movement techniques. They need to know how to handle themselves and you when things get stressful. They need to be able to help you continue to grow as an actor while growing with these pieces throughout the long audition process.
Honestly, it’s highly preferable for your coach to have an MFA in Acting or Musical Theatre and/or a decent amount of professional experience as an actor. I’d also trust someone with an MFA in Directing or equivalent experience directing in the professional theatre. My friends who coach for the big coaching syndicates have this training (as do I). These people will be able to put themselves in your shoes because they have BEEN THERE.
Ask to speak to former students of theirs in regards to college coaching. You'll be able to get a sense of the coach's abilities based on how the student is able to talk about the work.
If you're doing musical theatre, make sure your regular voice teacher or coach is on board and has been through the process as well. You need consistency with them and collaboration with your other coach.
And if you cannot afford a coach, reach out to me, other coaches and coaching syndicates, because many of us tend to have scholarship slots or will make concessions for low income folks. You can also head on over to @b_actingstudio on Instagram and TikTok for insider information :) I've been known to help people in the comments, respond to DMs about wildcards, will do some coachings on live and more...
about me
My training spans from Columbia University (MFA Acting, 2022) and Pace University (BFA Acting, 2012), to The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ (Apprenticeship) and The Atlantic Acting School (Evening Conservatory). At these programs and at other private studios, I’ve worked hands on and in-depth with techniques that cultivate emotional, physical and vocal freedom. Techniques include Alexander Technique, Meisner, Stanislavski, Feldenkrais, Michael Chekhov, Viewpoints, Laban, Linklater, Fitzmaurice, Improv and more.
I’ve had the honor of studying with some of the most innovative and respected acting teachers of our time, including Ron Van Lieu, Scott Zigler, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sita Mani, James Calleri, Bruce Cromer, Ellen Lauren, just to name a few.
As an actor, I have worked at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Mosaic Theatre Company, Virginia Stage Company, Toms River Shakespeare Festival, The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Adirondack Shakespeare Company, Punchdrunk (creators of Sleep No More), and many others. On TV, you can catch me on Investigation Discovery’s A Crime To Remember and Nick Jr.’s Team UmiZoomi. Films include countless student and short films over the years in NYC. At Columbia, I’ve been a part of the new play development process for many full length and one act plays.
I offer Coaching Sessions, support and pre-screen recording throughout audition season for high school, undergrad and graduate school auditions. The general goal is to take the pressure off by beginning a young actor's higher education training journey. This results in actors already having the confidence to fail gloriously and be in process, which makes for dynamic and playful exploration in the room. With tons of positive reinforcement from me, actors are already in the good goo and figuring out who they are as artists when it's time to submit pre-screens and do live auditions.
I also offer Private Lessons for persons of any age and skill level who would like to learn technique, develop specifics of their physical instrument and how to think like an actor. Private Lessons are geared towards long term study and growth. They are also a great option for executives and folks who would like to cultivate a dynamic presence and improve public speaking.